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Best Recruitment Agencies in Dunedin

We assessed 14 recruitment agencies in Dunedin and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. The 10 listed below hold 949 Google reviews between them. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 9 August 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Recruitment agency fees vary widely, and the best agency for a role depends heavily on their network in your sector. Ask about their placement rate for roles similar to yours, how long placements typically take to fill, and what guarantee or replacement policy applies if a hire does not work out.

Top 5 Recruitment Agencies in Dunedin

The top 5 recruitment agencies in Dunedin are Platinum Recruitment, Your People Recruitment, Potentia, Heights Recruitment, and Adecco, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.

  • 1

    Platinum Recruitment

    ★ 5.0 150 reviews Top5 Score 169 -2
    5★ 145 4★ 4 3★ 1

    Platinum Recruitment places candidates in roles across finance, general employment, and Dunedin-based positions, with consultants like Andrew, Julie, and Alicia taking an active, persistent approach to finding the right fit rather than filling a vacancy quickly. Candidates relocating from overseas, including from the UK, have been supported through the full process from before they arrive in New Zealand.

    Reviews most often describe: Jobseekers wanting a match-focused recruiter, not just placement

    • ✓ Keeps candidates updated at every stage throughout the process
    • ✓ Proactively finds roles rather than waiting for candidates to apply
    • ✓ Individual consultants stay personally involved from first contact to placement

    location_on 2/286 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 2

    Your People Recruitment

    ↑ 1
    ★ 4.9 134 reviews +3 Top5 Score 167 +1
    5★ 129 3★ 1 2★ 1 1★ 3

    Your People Recruitment matches jobseekers to roles across temp, permanent, and trial-to-permanent placements, with consultants like Mel, Leanne, and Robyn taking time to understand what candidates are actually looking for before putting them forward. Check-ins continue well after a role starts, with the team following up during trial periods and beyond to make sure the placement is working for both sides.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates wanting hands-on support beyond initial placement

    • ✓ Keeps candidates updated at every stage without being chased
    • ✓ Follows up with placed candidates weeks into the new role
    • ✓ Only puts candidates forward for roles matching their skills and experience

    location_on Level 2/106 George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 3

    Potentia – Technology Recruitment (Dunedin)

    ↓ 1
    ★ 4.8 157 reviews Top5 Score 165 -1
    5★ 146 4★ 4 2★ 1 1★ 6

    Potentia connects candidates to software and technology roles, with consultants like Jade and Hein spending real time on a candidate's background before making any approach, including mapping out backup options for complex situations like international relocations. On the employer side, they fill specialist vacancies that would be difficult to fill independently, with clear expectations set throughout the process.

    Reviews most often describe: Tech candidates needing a personally invested, relationship-driven recruiter

    • ✓ Consultants read CVs closely and surface skills candidates feel others miss
    • ✓ Candidates kept informed at every stage with no gaps in communication
    • ✓ Supports both jobseekers and hiring businesses across specialist tech roles

    location_on 469 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 4

    Heights Recruitment

    ★ 5.0 94 reviews +10 Top5 Score 165 +3
    5★ 91 4★ 3

    Heights Recruitment gets candidates into work quickly, with consultants like Sam, Sophie, and Luke taking time to understand what each person is actually looking for before making a match. Candidates regularly report a smooth, low-stress process with clear communication kept up throughout, from first contact through to a confirmed job offer.

    Reviews most often describe: Jobseekers wanting fast placement with genuine personal support

    • ✓ Consultants match candidates to roles within days of first contact
    • ✓ Candidates kept informed with regular calls and messages throughout
    • ✓ Multiple named consultants each praised for genuine personal investment

    location_on 469 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 5

    Adecco Dunedin/Ōtepoti - Recruitment Agency

    ★ 4.7 105 reviews +5 Top5 Score 159 +2
    5★ 89 4★ 9 3★ 3 1★ 4

    Adecco places candidates into temp and permanent roles, with consultants like Brodie and Lagi following up throughout assignments rather than going quiet once a placement is made. Employers using them for temp-to-permanent hires report the transition being actively managed, with the agency keeping communication open on both sides until candidates are settled in their roles.

    Reviews most often describe: Students and newcomers needing temp work found fast

    • ✓ Consultants check in regularly during assignments, not just at placement
    • ✓ Found candidates work within days of first making contact
    • ✓ Supported both employee and employer through the full onboarding period

    location_on 248 High Street, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?

Before you hire a recruitment agency in Dunedin

Drawn from 158 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What do recruitment agencies typically charge in New Zealand? expand_more

Employer clients pay contingency fees of 10% to 20% of the placed candidate's first-year salary, with most permanent roles sitting between 12% and 15%. Senior, executive, or specialist technical roles can attract fees of 20% to 25%. Job seekers pay nothing, and charging candidates a fee is illegal under the Employment Relations Act 2000. Anyone charged a fee by a recruiter can file a complaint with the Labour Inspectorate within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

How do I know if an agency specialises in my industry or role type? expand_more

Ask the agency directly how many roles in your specific field they placed in the last 12 months and whether they have a dedicated consultant for that sector. A specialist will know the market, understand your role requirements without needing lengthy explanation, and have a relevant candidate pool already built. One reviewer noted their consultant had read their CV carefully and understood the depth of their experience, which stands out as a marker of genuine sector knowledge rather than generic placement. If an agency struggles to name relevant clients, recent placements, or sector-specific nuances when you ask, treat that as a sign they are operating as generalists and your role may not get focused attention.

What happens if the placement doesn't work out? expand_more

Replacement guarantees in New Zealand are standard practice, running from 8 to 12 weeks for most permanent placements and extending to 3 to 6 months for senior or executive roles. The guarantee will replace the candidate at no additional fee rather than issue a cash refund, and it is typically voided if the role changes significantly, the position is made redundant, or the employer's own conduct contributes to the breakdown. Because recruitment agencies in New Zealand operate under no specific licensing regime, guarantee terms are set entirely by contract, so read the service agreement carefully before signing and ensure the notice requirements for triggering a replacement are clearly documented.

What are the warning signs of a recruitment agency you shouldn't use? expand_more
  • –An agency pressures you to accept a role quickly without taking time to understand what you actually want from a position.
  • –Consultants go quiet after an initial registration and only make contact when they have a vacancy to fill rather than maintaining ongoing communication.
  • –One reviewer reported being challenged over a medical certificate, suggesting a consultant prioritised the client's short-term needs over the worker's legal entitlements.
  • –Promises of permanent employment are made verbally but are never formalised, leaving candidates in long-term temporary limbo.
  • –The agency presents you for roles that clearly do not match your skills or experience, indicating CVs are being sent to meet placement targets rather than find a genuine fit.
  • –Feedback on why you did not progress is withheld or vague, which prevents you from preparing better for the next opportunity.
What should you ask before engaging a recruitment agency? expand_more
  • –Ask how they screen candidates before presenting them to an employer, including whether interviews, reference checks, and skills assessments are part of their standard process.
  • –Confirm in writing that no fees will be charged to you as a job seeker, and ask employers to clarify the exact percentage fee and what services that covers.
  • –Ask for the replacement guarantee period in writing, what conditions can void it, and how quickly you need to notify the agency if a placement fails.
  • –Ask how long placements in your industry or role type have taken recently, so you can set a realistic timeline.
  • –Clarify how communication will work throughout the process, including how often you will receive updates and who your primary contact will be.
  • –Ask whether the consultant assigned to your search has specific experience placing roles in your sector, not just general recruitment experience.

Recruitment Agencies ranked 6 to 10 in Dunedin

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    Fluid Recruitment

    ★ 4.9 83 reviews Top5 Score 156
    5★ 78 4★ 5

    Fluid Recruitment places candidates into roles across accounting, healthcare, and specialist fields, with consultants like Eden, Tom, James, and Jason actively coaching candidates through interviews and staying in contact well after they start. Several consultants have visited new starters at their workplace or checked in on relocating candidates and their families to make sure they have settled in.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates wanting a personal coach through the whole process

    • ✓ Consultants call after hours to keep candidates informed and supported
    • ✓ Post-placement follow-up continues weeks after the candidate starts work
    • ✓ Interview tips and preparation provided before each stage of the process

    location_on Burns House Level 3/10 George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 7

    Tradestaff Dunedin

    ★ 4.8 74 reviews +1 Top5 Score 154 -1
    5★ 66 4★ 5 1★ 3

    Tradestaff gets people into work fast, including walk-ins who drop by without an appointment, and has placed candidates in on-site roles within days of first contact. Beyond the initial placement, the team actively checks that workers have the right gear before starting on site and keeps in touch to find extra shifts when someone needs more hours.

    Reviews most often describe: Tradespeople and backpackers needing fast, on-site work

    • ✓ Finds extra work for candidates who need more hours on request
    • ✓ Walk-in visits to the office result in placements within days
    • ✓ Candidates feel looked after through ongoing check-ins during placements

    location_on 35A Crawford Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 8

    New Zealand Labour Hire Dunedin

    ★ 4.9 63 reviews +2 Top5 Score 153 +2
    5★ 61 4★ 1 1★ 1

    NZ Labour Hire moves candidates from casual or temporary work through to permanent employment, with Hollie and Eric staying in contact throughout the process rather than stepping back once a placement is made. Candidates needing only a few weeks of work in the city have also been placed quickly, showing the agency is able to match people to short-term needs as readily as long-term ones.

    Reviews most often describe: Candidates needing placement support into steady ongoing work

    • ✓ Hollie and Eric keep candidates updated throughout the entire hiring process
    • ✓ Candidates supported through transition from casual work to permanent employment
    • ✓ Quick responses to candidate questions maintained even after placement begins

    location_on 44B Filleul Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 9

    OneStaff

    ★ 4.9 61 reviews Top5 Score 152
    5★ 60 1★ 1

    OneStaff turns around temp placements quickly, connecting candidates to short and long-term assignments across a range of industries while matching the role to what each person is actually looking for. Consultants like Tina, Danni, Sam, and Andrea are regularly named for staying responsive and attentive throughout, not just at sign-up.

    Reviews most often describe: People needing temp work placed across varied roles fast

    • ✓ Named consultants respond quickly to candidate questions and assignment needs
    • ✓ Temp placements found fast, including for people new to Dunedin
    • ✓ Employers report temp workers fitting well into existing teams

    location_on 8 George Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?
  • 10

    ALH Dunedin Labour Hire & Recruitment

    ★ 5.0 28 reviews +2 Top5 Score 144 +2
    5★ 28

    ALH Dunedin fills roles at short notice for both individual jobseekers and employers running demanding projects, placing people into labouring and temp work across the Otago region. Consultants like Geordie, Hamish, and Sam are named repeatedly for following through on what they promise and staying available when problems come up mid-placement.

    Reviews most often describe: Workers and employers needing urgent, short-notice labour placement

    • ✓ Fills urgent short-notice staffing requests from employers same day
    • ✓ Candidates placed quickly and kept in work by named consultants
    • ✓ Staff placed for both short-term shifts and long-term requirements

    location_on 401 Moray Place, Central Dunedin, Dunedin

    map Map Is this your business?

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About this ranking

How are the top recruitment agencies in Dunedin chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for recruitment agencies in Dunedin. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 9 August 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for recruitment agencies in Dunedin. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 28. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.